Racing clubs across regional Queensland to share in $2.6 million of infrastructure funding

The last round of the Queensland Government’s Country Racing Program sees racing clubs across regional Queensland sharing in $2.6 million of infrastructure funding.

48 projects at 40 clubs have been approved for delivery as part of the fifth round of the Country Racing Program.

Meanwhile the Queensland Government’s new sustainable funding model for Queensland racing, which takes effect today, has allowed Racing Queensland (RQ) to boost total prize money by $31 million in 2023.

Racing Minister Grace Grace notes “The Country Racing Program is supporting our country racing clubs by providing assistance for important upgrades and maintenance.

“Of the 110 communities that we race in across the state, 85 celebrate racing as their largest or second largest community event.

“The Country Racing Program has supported good jobs and the great lifestyle involved with rural and regional racing since its inception in 2018.

“More than 300 projects have been supported by the program in that time.

“From today, 80% of revenue generated by the betting tax will go straight back to the industry, up from 35%, creating greater funding certainty for country racing in Queensland.

“Under this new model, there will be greater minimum funding requirements for country thoroughbred racing, that will see at least $20 million devoted to country racing per year.

“This is greater than the $17.6 million per year for prize money, club payments and infrastructure provided under the current Country Racing Program.

“The change in the funding model has also allowed RQ to bolster prize money, and I’m pleased to announce there will be a $31 million increase in prize money across all codes next year.

“That’s an extra $17 million for thoroughbreds, $9 million for greyhounds and almost $5 million for harness racing.”

RQ Chairman Steve Wilson AM said the industry is going from strength-to-strength with prize money all but doubling in seven years.

“RQ boasts a relentless focus on growing revenue which enables growing returns to participants beyond $330 million by 2025 and a $450 million infrastructure pipeline over the next 5 years,” Wilson said.

“This includes the redeveloped Gold Coast tracks and lights, the approved Greater Brisbane Greyhound Centre, the proposed state-of-the-art Queensland Harness Centre of Excellence and an Eagle Farm Events Centre.”

Click here to see the full list of approved projects as part of Round 5 of the Country Racing Program.